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Writer's pictureJerilyn McKeon PharmD, BCACP

Balancing wholistic & holistic views along with traditional medicine: A Clinical Pharmacist's Views

Updated: May 26, 2023

The terms wholistic and holistic are often used interchangebly. Although they do not mean exactly the same thing they are very similar. Wholistic refers to one addressing the whole person rather than only specific symptom or disease. Holistic is often referring to homeopathic care.


As a Clinical Pharmacist, I 100% believe in the importance of wholistic health.


The wholistic approach to take into account a patient's entire self- their physical, emotional and spiritual health and lifestyle changes is vitally important to promote healing. Additionally, wholistic medicine often involves lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, which can improve overall health and wellness. Another term for this is comprehensive care. For example if a patient is struggling with depression and/or motivation they are more unlikely to take the necessary steps such as lifestyle changes in order to take control of their specific disease state or health. In this situation it is important to treat this underlying depression and/or motivation along with the actual disease state.

I also believe there is room for holistic health in the space of traditional medicine however it is important to find the perfect balance.


Holistic medicine emphasizes the use of natural remedies. I do believe there can be value in holistic medicine in combination with traditional medicine. Holistic medicine can be beneficial in treating chronic conditions. However, I do find concerns when patient's exclusively use holistic medicine and use it in the place of traditional medicine.


One of the main advantages of holistic medicine is that it can be less invasive than traditional medicine. It often involves natural remedies, such as herbs and supplements.


It is important to note that just because something is natural that does not mean it is always safe. Some supplements may conflict or interact with your specific disease state.


Herbs and supplements also carry the risk of side effects and medication interactions.


It is important to consult your Pharmacist or Doctor when taking these. Also remember that herbs and supplements do not have the same regulation processes as traditional medications so make sure you are obtaining your supplements through reputable companies such as USANA that conduct regular standardization processes.


To explore all that USANA has to offer please click the link below.


A large drawback of holistic medicine is that it is often not supported by scientific research. Many holistic remedies and practices have NOT been rigorously tested in clinical trials, which means that their effectiveness and safety are not well understood. Additionally, because holistic medicine is not regulated in the same way as traditional medicine, there is a risk of contamination or mislabeling of supplements and herbal remedies.


Traditional medicine, on the other hand, is based on rigorous scientific research and has been shown to be effective for treating many acute and chronic health conditions. It relies on standardized dosing and has a clear understanding of the active ingredients in drugs, which allows for precise treatment of specific health conditions.


One of the main advantages of traditional medicine is that it is widely accepted and regulated by government agencies, which means that patients can have confidence in the safety and effectiveness of the treatments they receive. Additionally, because traditional medicine is more regulated and more widely accepted, it is often covered by health insurance, which can make it more accessible to patients. Holistic approaches can be expensive and are often not covered by insurance.


I truly believe you cannot address a specific disease state alone and that it is important to take an entire wholistic or comprehensive approach when treating one's health. I do not believe you can effectively treat Diabetes if you have not talked about diet and important lifestyle modifications. They can and should be discussed together.

I also think there are some herbals and supplements can be beneficial and have a place in improving health. However, it is important to ensure the supplement you are planning to take is from a reputable company. It is equally important that you talk to a Pharmacist and/or your Provider to make sure the supplement you are planning to take is safe. Make sure the supplement you are planning to take does not conflict or interfere with not only your disease state/condition but also be sure to make sure it will not interfere with your medications.

Also when deciding to implement aspects of holistic medicine it is important to have this be in conjunction with traditional medicine and not to take the place of traditional medicine.



**Please take note, my views are my own and are not associated or representative of my employer(s). This website and its associated platforms are for education purposes only and not medical advice. (If one wants to establish a relationship in which individual circumstances can be evaluated please send a message)


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